News Releases

Press Release: Tuition Stable

Western Governors University, the non-profit online university, bucks national
trend with lower tuition and no increase

SALT LAKE CITY -- Going against the national tide again, Western Governors University
(www.wgu.edu) has decided it will not increase tuition for the second year in a
row. By contrast, most colleges and universities are typically raising tuition 5
to 10 percent and have done so the past several years, often at twice the rate of
inflation.

In this era of escalating college costs, WGU is already a low-cost online higher
education provider. The current tuition rate is $2,790 per six-month term, with
some graduate programs slightly higher at $3,250 per six-month term. WGU's tuition
remains attractive compared to the national average of $22,218 per year for private
colleges and $5,836 per year for public four-year colleges. (College Board, Fall
2006 data; Fall 2007 is not yet available). Tuition at the for-profit online universities
is also high, with the typical cost in the range of $300-500 per credit hour. Thus,
the total cost of a 120-hour undergraduate degree at for-profit universities can
reach $40,000 to $60,000.

WGU is a non-profit, private online institution. WGU was created by 19 U.S. governors
over 10 years ago to expand access to higher education, but it does not receive
state funding.

Using a different model, WGU has increased productivity and has held costs down.
The model allows for more focus on the student learning experience, not on other
extraneous concerns. The university uses high-quality, existing learning resources,
and provides mentors who counsel and guide students. There is a university-wide
commitment to student retention and graduation rates. WGU also does not maintain
a costly brick-and-mortar campus, athletic programs, or dorms.

Keeping tuition low helps expand access to college

WGU Vice President Patrick Partridge says, "One of the great promises of online education
is its potential to expand access to higher education for more individuals, especially
working adults. However, to expand access it's also critical to keep tuition affordable.
WGU focuses on improved productivity through its student-centered competency-based
academic model. WGU is in a financially sound position because of this commitment.
Eventually we will have to raise tuition to adjust for inflation, but we're very
proud that our students have benefited for two years without a tuition increase."

Western Governors University is unusual as a non-profit, private online university
in a field crowded with for-profit schools. "Online education has been dominated
by for-profit institutions," notes Partridge. "They have shareholders who want a
return on their investment. WGU doesn't have that same pressure, which is another
reason our tuition rates are lower without compromising quality."

WGU has grown into one of the larger online universities and now serves over 9,000
students in four degree areas: Education, Business, Information Technology, and
Health Professions. Bachelor's, master's, and post-baccalaureate programs are offered.
The average age of a WGU student is 37 years old. Approximately 70 percent of the
student body is a member of at least one of four underserved populations: rural,
ethnic minority, first-generation college, or low income. WGU serves students in
all 50 states.